Composition comprising HMSs/HMOs and use thereof

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to compositions and methods for preventing or treating mast cell mediated visceral pain.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/147,115 entitled “Composition Comprising HMSs/HMOs and use thereof” and filed on May 5, 2016 for Louise Kristine Vigsnæs, which is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/034,593 entitled “Synthetic composition and method for treating irritable bowel syndrome”, filed on May 5, 2016 for Thierry Hennett, which is a national stage filing in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT/DK2015/050332 filed Oct. 29, 2015, which claims the benefit of the priority of Denmark Patent Application No. PA 2014 70663, filed Oct. 29, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to compositions and methods for preventing or treating mast cell mediated visceral pain.

BACKGROUND Description of the Related Art

Visceral hypersensitivity and pain represent a major clinical problem, yet far less is known about its mechanisms compared to somatic pain. Visceral hypersensitivity and pain are defined as pain felt arising from the internal organs (viscera) of the body. There are multiple etiologies for pain sensed in viscera, including inflammation (acute and chronic), infection, disruption of normal mechanical processes (e.g. gastrointestinal dysmotility) or alterations in nerves. The recent growth in interest in pain originating from internal organs reflects an important paradigm shift in the awareness of the magnitude and impact of visceral pain disorders.

Visceral pain usually has a temporal evolution and clinical features vary in different phases of pathology. ‘True visceral pain’ arises as a diffuse and poorly defined sensation usually perceived in the midline of the body, at the lower sternum or upper abdomen. In patients, pain from different visceral organs can have differing areas of presentation, e.g. bladder to perineal area, heart to left arm and neck, left ureter to left lower quadrant and loin. This diffuse nature and difficulty in locating visceral pain is due to a low density of visceral sensory innervation and extensive divergence of visceral input within the central nerve system. Visceral pain is therefore perceived more diffusely than noxious cutaneous stimulation with respect to location and timing. Visceral pain is often associated with marked autonomic phenomena, including pallor, profuse sweating, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances and changes in body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate (Sikandar et al. Curr. Opin. Support. Palliat. Care 6, 17 (2012)).

The “brain-gut axis” is a theoretical model depicting bidirectional neural pathways linking cognitive, emotional and autonomic centres in the brain to neuroendocrine centres, the enteric nervous system and the immune system. The gastrointestinal tract possesses both the largest neural network outside the brain and the most extensive immune system, which brings about the opportunity for crosstalk between neurons and immune cells, including mast cells. Many studies have confirmed that endings of postganglionic sympathetic, peptidergic and vagal fibres, and enteric neurons are in close proximity to mast cells. It has been estimated that 70% of intestinal mucosal mast cells are in direct contact with nerves. Due to their location mast cells play an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal visceral hypersensitivity and vascular permeability, and an alteration in the mast cells-nerve axis can contribute to autonomic dysregulation of the gut and associated pain and perceptual changes in visceral disorders. Several studies have noted an increased number of mast cells in the mucosa of patients with gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, mastocytic enterocolitis, and systemic mastocytosis (Buhner et al. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1822, 85 (2012)).

The functional mast cell-neuronal units consist of 2 pathways: the nerve to mast cells signalling and the mast cells to nerve signalling. One of the important mediators in this process is mast cell tryptase, which activate Protease-activated Receptor 2 (PAR2) present on sensory afferents. PAR2 plays a crucial role in sensitizing afferent neurons and also causes the release of substance P (SP) and Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). This system acts to amplify the inflammatory response with the gastrointestinal tract and leads to increased motility and secretion as part of the enteric nervous system (ENS) response to mast cell degranulation. Mast cells hyperplasia and activation can lead to abnormal gastrointestinal sensitivity, motility, and secretion, which in turn contribute to the hallmark symptoms found in functional gastrointestinal disorders including abdominal pain and/or discomfort, bloating, and abnormal bowel function (diarrhoea and/or constipation) (Zhang et al. J. Neurogastroenterol. Montil. 22, 181 (2016)).

Beside the mast cells-nerve axis, emerging data show that there is an interaction between the intestinal microbiota and pathways mediating visceral pain. The absence of gastrointestinal bacteria, such as which occurs in germ free mice, is associated with reduced perception of pain following different inflammatory stimuli. Furthermore, modulation of the intestinal microbiota by administration of various probiotics or prebiotics also has been shown to alter pain responses.

Visceral pain is one of the defining criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Irritable bowel syndrome is a clinically heterogeneous disorder of human patients, particularly adult, with chronic symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, abdominal bloating, fatigue, and changes in bowel movement patterns, such as patterns of loose or more frequent bowel movements, diarrhea and constipation. Routine clinical tests on patients typically show no abnormalities, although their bowels may be more sensitive to certain stimuli, such as balloon insufflation testing. The worldwide prevalence of IBS is about 10-20% but may be higher in certain countries (Longstreth et al. Gastroenterology 130, 1480 (2006)). The causes of IBS are unknown but disruptions of the brain-gut axis, acute gastrointestinal infections, small intestinal bacterial overgrowths, antibiotic usages and dysbiosis are thought to be important risk factors (Kim et al. Dig. Dis. Sci. 57, 3213 (2012)). Other risk factors are young age, prolonged fever, anxiety, and depression. Chronic low-grade inflammation commonly occurs in IBS patients, but there are otherwise little or no observable clinical manifestations.

Diagnosis of IBS is difficult. No biomarker-based tests can be performed to diagnose IBS. Diagnosis generally involves excluding conditions that produce IBS-like symptoms and then following a procedure to categorise a patient's symptoms. Ruling out parasitic infections, lactose intolerance, and celiac disease is recommended for all patients before a diagnosis of IBS is made. Once diagnosed, patients are usually classified in accordance with the Rome III criteria into four symptom subtypes based on stool consistency: diarrhea predominant (IBS-D), constipation predominant (IBS-C), mixed subtype (IBS-M) with alternating episodes of both diarrhea and constipation, and unsubtyped IBS (IBS-U).

There is no cure for IBS and current treatments focus on attempting to relieve symptoms; including visceral pain but current pain treatments have limited efficacy. Treatments take various forms such as dietary adjustments, medication, and psychological interventions. Patient education and good doctor-patient relationships are also important. However, most treatment is unsatisfactory and most patients continue to experience chronic pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. While IBS has no direct effect on life expectancy, its high prevalence and significant effects on quality of life make it a condition with a high social cost. The general hopelessness associated with IBS is a source of frustration for both patients and health care practitioners treating them.

Current research has implicated the gastrointestinal microbiota, the brain-gut axis and the mast cells in the pathophysiology of IBS. The human gastrointestinal microbiota includes at least 1,000 species of bacteria, and about 10¹⁴ individual bacterial cells from about 160 different species inhabit each individual's intestine (Qin et al. Nature 464, 59 (2010)). It is believed that an individual's genetic make-up and acquired immunity, as well as environmental factors, influence their gastrointestinal microbiota. The microbiota in turn shape the individual's immunity and physiology within the gastrointestinal system. It is also believed that a healthy individual maintains a symbiotic relationship with the microbiota colonizing his/her intestines, while an individual with IBS has an imbalance in this microbiota-host interaction.

Mast cells are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of IBS. Increased mast cell infiltration and activation in distal gut segments are associated with symptom onset and severity of IBS. These cells are also implicated in the elevated response of visceral afferent nerves to mucosal stimulus in IBS patients. Mast cell hyperplasia is commonly observed following infection by bacteria in both post-infectious IBS and non-post-infectious IBS.

Therefore, there is a need for a safe, effective intervention for the treatment of visceral pain disorders mitigated by mast cells.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a composition and method for treatment of the underlying causes of visceral pain disorders mediated by mast cells. Beneficially, such a composition and method would be safe, effective, and convenient to administer.

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available treatments.

Provided herein are synthetic compositions comprising one or more human milk monosaccharides (HMSs) or one or more human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), or both, that can be advantageously used for the prophylaxis or treatment of mast cell mediated visceral hypersensitivity and/or pain in a human, in particular a non-infant human individual. In one embodiment, the human is an irritable bowel syndrome patient. The patient may have intestinal dysbiosis and/or an impaired mucosal barrier.

A first aspect of this invention relates to a human milk mono- or oligosaccharide or a mixture of human milk mono- and/or oligosaccharides for the prophylaxis or treatment of mast cell mediated visceral hypersensitivity and/or pain in a human. A second aspect of this invention relates to a synthetic composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of mast cell mediated visceral hypersensitivity and/or pain in a human, the composition comprising an effective amount of one or more human milk monosaccharides or one or more human milk oligosaccharide. A third aspect of this invention relates to a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of mast cell mediated visceral hypersensitivity and/or pain in a human, the method comprising administering to the human an effective amount of one or more human milk monosaccharides or one or more human milk oligosaccharide.

The amount of a human milk mono- and/or oligosaccharide may be effective to (i) increase the abundance, particularly the relative abundance, of bifidobacteria, and/or (ii) improve the gut barrier function of the human. The bifidobacteria increased may be a member of the phylogenetic Bifidobacterium adolescentis group, for example Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum and/or Bifidobacterium adolescentis.

In certain embodiments the human milk oligosaccharide is 2′-FL, 3-FL, DFL, LNnT, LNT, 3′-SL, 6′-SL or LNFP-I or a mixture thereof. For example, the composition may comprise a mixture of a fucosylated HMO such as 2′-FL and a non-fucosylated neutral HMO such as LNnT or LNT, or both. 2′-FL and LNnT/LNT may be present in a mass ratio of about 5:1 to 1:1 or about 4:1 to 2:1.

The synthetic composition can be a nutritional or pharmaceutical composition. A synthetic composition of the invention is sometimes administered daily. Furthermore, the synthetic composition is may be administered for a period of at least one month, such as at least 2 months or for a longer period of time, for example chronically on an on-going basis.

The synthetic composition may be administered to the human or patient as a daily dose of about 3 g to about 15 g such as from about 3 g to about 10 g of HMSs and/or HMOs. The patient may be administered a higher amount, preferably 5 g to 10 g per day, of the HMSs and/or HMOs for an initial treatment period, followed by a lower amount, preferably 3 g to 5 g per day, for a maintenance period. The initial treatment period may be 1 to 8 weeks. In some embodiments the maintenance period is at least 1 month.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or procedures are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Human milk monosaccharides (HMSs) and/or human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have been shown to modulate the gut microbiota, stabilize mast cells and hereby prevent symptoms in patients suffering from visceral pain. HMSs and/or HMOs preferentially increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, and regulate immune responses causing a decrease in the degranulation and activation of mast cells. Furthermore, HMSs and/or HMOs act to repair damage in the mucosal barrier and act on neuronally dependent gut migrating motor complexes to address disorders of gut motility and possibly have beneficial effects on the central nervous systems of patients. As an outcome, visceral hypersensitivity and/or pain may be reduced.

The term “oral administration” means any conventional form for the oral delivery of a composition to a patient that causes the deposition of the composition in the gastrointestinal tract (including the stomach) of the patient. Accordingly, oral administration includes swallowing of composition by the patient, enteral feeding through a naso-gastric tube, and the like.

The term “effective amount” means an amount of a composition that provides a human milk monosaccharide or human milk oligosaccharide in a sufficient amount to render a desired treatment outcome in a patient. An effective amount can be administered in one or more doses to the patient to achieve the desired treatment outcome.

The term “human milk monosaccharide” or “HMS” means a monosaccharide found in human breast milk. Examples include sialic acid and L-fucose. In human milk, the sialic acid is N-acetylneuraminic acid.

The term “human milk oligosaccharide” or “HMO” means a complex carbohydrate found in human breast milk that can be in acidic or neutral form. More than about 200 different HMO structures are known to exist in human breast milk (Urashima et al.: Milk Oligosaccharides, Nova Biomedical Books, New York, 2011). HMOs can be backbone, fucosylated and sialylated oligosaccharides. Backbone HMOs consists of Glu, Gal and GlcNAc and are devoid of Fuc and sialic acid. Examples of backbone HMOs include lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH) and lacto-N-hexaose (LNH). Fucosyl HMOs are fucosylated lactoses or fucosylated backbone HMOs such as 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP-I), lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH-I), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (DFL), lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFP-III), fucosyl-para-lacto-N-neohexaose (F-pLNnH), lacto-N-difucohexaose I (LNDFH-I), fucosyl-lacto-N-hexaose II (FLNH-II), lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFP-V), lacto-N-difucohexaose II (LNDFH-II), fucosyl-lacto-N-hexaose I (FLNH-I), fucosyl-lacto-N-hexaose III (FLNH-III) and fucosyl-para-lacto-N-neohexaose (F-pLNnH). Sialyl HMOs are sialylated lactoses or sialylated backbone HMOs such as 3′,6-disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT), 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL), 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL), 6′-sialyllacto-N-neotetraose (LST c), 3′-sialyllacto-N-tetraose (LST a) and 6-sialyllacto-N-tetraose (LST b). HMOs containing both sialyl and fucosyl groups may be considered to belong to either of the latter two groups. Examples for sialyl and fucosyl HMOs include disialyl-fucosyl-lacto-N-hexaose II (DSFLNH-II), fucosyl-sialyl-lacto-N-neohexaose I (FSLNnH-I), fucosyl-sialyl-lacto-N-hexaose I (FSLNH-I) and 3-fucosyl-3′-sialyllactose (FSL).

The terms “microbiota”, “microflora” and “microbiome” mean a community of living microorganisms that typically inhabits a bodily organ or part. Dominant members of the gastrointestinal microbiota include microorganisms of the phyla of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Synergistetes, Verrucomicrobia, Fusobacteria, and Euryarchaeota; at genus level the microorganisms of Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, Alistipes, Collinsella, Blautia, Coprococcus, Ruminococcus, Eubacterium and Dorea; and at species level microorganisms of Bacteroides uniformis, Alistipes putredinis, Parabacteroides merdae, Ruminococcus bromii, Dorea longicatena, Bacteroides caccae, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Eubacterium hallii, Ruminococcus torques, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Ruminococcus lactaris, Collinsella aerofaciens, Dorea formicigenerans, Bacteroides vulgatus and Roseburia intestinalis. In some instances, the gastrointestinal microbiota includes the mucosa-associated microbiota, which is located in or attached to the mucus layer covering the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, and luminal-associated microbiota, which is found in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract.

The terms “irritable bowel syndrome” and “IBS” mean a group of functional bowel disorders of humans, particularly adults, characterized by one or more chronic symptoms including abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, abdominal bloating, fatigue, and changes in bowel movement patterns, such as patterns of loose or more frequent bowel movements, diarrhoea and constipation, typically in the absence of any apparent structural abnormality. There are at least three forms of IBS, depending on which symptom predominates: (1) diarrhoea-predominant (IBS-D); (2) constipation-predominant (IBS-C); and (3) IBS with alternating stool pattern (IBS-A or IBS-M). There are also various clinical subtypes of IBS, such as post-infectious IBS (IBS-PI).

The term “bifidobacteria” means a member of the Bifidobacterium genus commonly found in the human gastro-intestinal tract. Examples of bifidobacteria are: Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and members of the phylogenetic Bifidobacterium adolescentis group. In non-infant humans, bifidobacteria preferably include members of the phylogenetic Bifidobacterium adolescentis group, for example Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum and/or Bifidobacterium adolescentis.

The term “synthetic composition” means a composition which is artificially prepared and preferably means a composition containing at least one compound that is produced ex vivo chemically and/or biologically, e.g. by means of chemical reaction, enzymatic reaction or recombinantly. In some embodiments a synthetic composition may be, but preferably is not, identical with a naturally occurring composition. The synthetic composition typically comprises one or more HMSs and/or HMOs that are capable of preferentially increasing the abundance of bifidobacteria. In some embodiments, the synthetic composition may comprise one or more compounds or components other than HMSs and/or HMOs that may have an effect on bifidobacteria of a human subject microbiota in vivo, e.g. non-digestible oligosaccharides or prebiotics. Also in some embodiments, the synthetic compositions may comprise one or more nutritionally or pharmaceutically active components which do not affect adversely the efficacy of the above mentioned compounds. Some non-limiting embodiments of a synthetic composition of the invention are also described below. The synthetic composition preferably comprises an effective amount of one or more HMS, HMO or both.

The term “effective amount” means an amount of a human milk mono- and/or oligosaccharide per administration dose which is effective to (i) increase the abundance, particularly a relative abundance, of bifidobacteria, and/or (ii) improve the gut barrier function of the human. The bifidobacteria increased may be a member of the phylogenetic Bifidobacterium adolescentis group, for example Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum and/or Bifidobacterium adolescentis. The effective amount of HMS(s) and HMO(s) may vary depending on compound selected from the groups of HMSs and HMOs described herein. The effective amount may be in the range from about 1 to about 10 g or more of HMS and/or HMOs per administration dose; in some preferred embodiments, the effective amounts are from about 3 to about 10 g per administration dose.

The term “relative abundance of bifidobacteria” means the abundance of bifidobacteria relative to other genus in the microbiota of the gastro-intestinal tract.

The term “relative growth of bifidobacteria” means the growth of bifidobacteria relative to other genus in the microbiota in the gastro-intestinal tract.

The term “non-infant human” or “non-infant” means in the present context a human of 3 years of age and older. A non-infant human can be a child, a teenager, an adult or an elderly.

The term “enteral administration” means any conventional form for delivery of a composition to a human that causes the deposition of the composition in the gastrointestinal tract (including the stomach). Methods of enteral administration include feeding through a naso-gastric tube or jejunum tube, oral, sublingual and rectal.

The term “oral administration” means any conventional form for the delivery of a composition to a human through the mouth. Accordingly, oral administration is a form of enteral administration.

The term “visceral hypersensitivity” refers to an increased intensity of sensation of stimuli of visceral organs of the body.

The “visceral organ” is an organ of the digestive, respiratory, urogenital and endocrine systems as well as the spleen, the heart and great vessels. In particular, a person who experiences visceral hypersensitivity may have a lowered threshold for visceral pain, such as abdominal pain and discomfort in response to pressure, stimulation or distension within the abdomen.

The term “visceral pain” refers to a distressing feeling arising from the visceral organs of the body.

The term “about” in the present context means up to 2.5% deviation from the corresponded value.

HMSs and/or HMOs for Prophylaxis or Treatment of Mast Cell Mediated Visceral Hypersensitivity and/or Pain in a Human

HMSs and/or HMOs for prophylaxis or treatment of mast cell mediated visceral hypersensitivity and/or pain in a human may be a single HMS, a mixture of HMSs, a single HMO, a mixture of any HMOs or a mixture of one or more HMSs and one or more HMOs suitable for the purpose of the invention. The HMS may be L-fucose or sialic acid, and the HMO is a fucosylated or a non-fucosylated neutral HMO. The HMSs and/or HMOs for prophylaxis or treatment of mast cell mediated visceral hypersensitivity and/or pain in a human may be a mixture of at least a first HMO, at least a second HMO and optionally L-fucose and/or sialic, wherein the first HMO is a fucosylated neutral HMO and the second HMO is a non-fucosylated neutral HMO. Particularly, the mixture may contain a fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of 2′-FL, 3-FL, DFL, LNFP-I, LNFP-II, LNFP-III, LNFP-V, LNDFH-I, LNDFH-II, LNDFH-III, FLNH-I, FLNH-II, FLNnH, FpLNH-I and F-pLNnH II, and a non-fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of LNT, LNnT, LNH, LNnH, pLNH and pLNnH. In certain embodiments the mixture contains a fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of 2′-FL, 3-FL and DFL, and a non-fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of LNT and LNnT. The mixture sometimes comprises 2′-FL and LNnT and/or LNT. In some embodiments, the mixture may essentially consist of two neutral HMOs, e.g. a fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of 2′-FL, 3-FL, DFL, LNFP-I, LNFP-II, LNFP-III, LNFP-V, LNDFH-I, LNDFH-II, LNDFH-III, FLNH-I, FLNH-II, FLNnH, FpLNH-I and F-pLNnH II, and a non-fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of LNT, LNnT, LNH, LNnH, pLNH and pLNnH. The mixture sometimes essentially consists of a fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of 2′-FL, 3-FL and DFL, and a non-fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of LNT and LNnT; in one preferred embodiment the mixture essentially consists of 2′-FL and LNnT, in another preferred embodiment the mixture essentially consists of 2′-FL and LNT.

The HMOs can be isolated or enriched by well-known processes from milk(s) secreted by mammals including, but not limited to human, bovine, ovine, porcine, or caprine species. The HMOs may also be produced by well-known processes using microbial fermentation, enzymatic processes, chemical synthesis, or combinations of these technologies. As examples, using chemistry LNnT may be made as described in WO 2011/100980 and WO 2013/044928, LNT may be synthesized as described in WO 2012/155916 and WO 2013/044928, a mixture of LNT and LNnT can be made as described in WO 2013/091660, 2′-FL may be made as described in WO 2010/115934 and WO 2010/115935, 3-FL can be made as described in WO 2013/139344, 6′-SL and salts thereof may be made as described in WO 2010/100979, sialylated oligosaccharides may be made as described in WO 2012/113404 and mixtures of human milk oligosaccharides can be made as described in WO 2012/113405. As examples of enzymatic production, sialylated oligosaccharides can be made as described in WO 2012/007588, fucosylated oligosaccharides can be made as described in WO 2012/127410, and advantageously diversified blends of human milk oligosaccharides may be made as described in WO 2012/156897 and WO 2012/156898. With regard to biotechnological methods, WO 01/04341 and WO 2007/101862 describe how to make core human milk oligosaccharides optionally substituted by fucose or sialic acid using genetically modified E. coli.

Synthetic Composition Comprising HMSs and/or HMOs

The synthetic composition may comprise a single HMS, a mixture of HMSs, a single HMO, a mixture of any HMOs or a mixture of one or more HMSs and one or more HMOs suitable for the purpose of the invention. In certain embodiments the HMS is L-fucose or sialic acid, and the HMO is a fucosylated or a non-fucosylated neutral HMO. The composition sometimes comprises a mixture of at least a first HMO, at least a second HMO and optionally L-fucose and/or sialic, wherein the first HMO may be a fucosylated neutral HMO and the second HMO may be a non-fucosylated neutral HMO. Particularly, the composition may contain a fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of 2′-FL, 3-FL, DFL, LNFP-I, LNFP-II, LNFP-III, LNFP-V, LNDFH-I, LNDFH-II, LNDFH-III, FLNH-I, FLNH-II, FLNnH, FpLNH-I and F-pLNnH II, and a non-fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of LNT, LNnT, LNH, LNnH, pLNH and pLNnH. The composition may contain a fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of 2′-FL, 3-FL and DFL, and a non-fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of LNT and LNnT. The composition sometimes comprises 2′-FL and LNnT and/or LNT. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a mixture essentially consists of two neutral HMOs, e.g. a fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of 2′-FL, 3-FL, DFL, LNFP-I, LNFP-II, LNFP-III, LNFP-V, LNDFH-I, LNDFH-II, LNDFH-III, FLNH-I, FLNH-II, FLNnH, FpLNH-I and F-pLNnH II, and a non-fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of LNT, LNnT, LNH, LNnH, pLNH and pLNnH. In various embodiments the composition comprises a mixture consisting of a fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of 2′-FL, 3-FL and DFL, and a non-fucosylated HMO selected from the list consisting of LNT and LNnT. The composition may comprise a mixture essentially consisting of 2′-FL and LNnT. In some embodiments the composition comprises a mixture essentially consisting of 2′-FL and LNT.

A synthetic composition of this invention comprising one or more human milk monosaccharides, or one or more human milk oligosaccharides, or both, may take any suitable form. For example, the composition may be in the form of a nutritional composition which contains other macronutrients such as proteins, lipids or other carbohydrates. The synthetic composition can also be a pharmaceutical composition or other unit dose form.

Nutritional Compositions

A nutritional composition of this invention may contain sources of protein, lipids and/or digestible carbohydrates and may be in powdered or liquid forms. The composition may be designed to be the sole source of nutrition or a nutritional supplement. For visceral pain patients, a nutritional supplement may be beneficial; especially a supplement which can form a meal or snack replacement. The nutritional composition may be lactose-reduced or lactose-free. The nutritional composition may also be free from, or low in amounts of, FODMAP carbohydrates.

Suitable protein sources include without limitation milk proteins, soy protein, rice protein, pea protein and oat protein, or mixtures thereof. Milk proteins may be in the form of milk protein concentrates, whey protein or casein, or mixtures of both. Soy, rice, pea and oat protein may be in the form or protein isolated. The protein may be whole protein or hydrolysed protein, either partially hydrolysed or extensively hydrolysed. The protein may provide about 5% to about 50%, preferably about 10% to 30%, of the energy of the nutritional composition. The protein source preferably is not a source of non-fermentable carbohydrates such as lactose. Therefore, if a milk protein is used as the protein source, the milk protein is preferably lactose-reduced or lactose-free.

The protein source may be a source of glutamine, threonine, cysteine, serine, proline, or a combination of these amino acids. The glutamine source may be a glutamine dipeptide and/or a glutamine enriched protein. Glutamine may be included due to the use of glutamine by enterocytes as an energy source. Threonine, serine and proline are important amino acids for the production of mucin. Mucin coats the GI tract and can reduce permeability. Cysteine is a major precursor of glutathione, which is key for the antioxidant defences of the body.

Suitable digestible carbohydrates include without limitation maltodextrin, hydrolysed or modified starch or corn starch, glucose polymers, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, tapioca, sucrose, and glucose, or mixtures thereof. Generally digestible carbohydrates provide about 35% to about 75%, preferably about 45% to 70%, of the energy of the nutritional composition. Preferably the digestible carbohydrate is free from lactose.

Suitable lipids include without limitation rapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, palm oil, soy oil, milk fat, corn oil and soy lecithin. Long-chain poly unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), especially omega-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may be included in the lipid source because they have anti-inflammatory properties. Suitable sources of LC-PUFA are plant oils, marine plankton oils, fungal oils, and fish oils. The lipid source may also include medium chain triglycerides (MCT). Fractionated coconut oils are a suitable source of medium chain triglycerides. The lipid source preferably provides about 5% to about 25% of the energy of the nutritional composition; for example about 10% to 20%. In various embodiments the lipid content is reduced because high fat diets can provoke IBS symptoms.

The nutritional composition may also include vitamins and minerals. If the nutritional composition is intended to be a sole source of nutrition, it may beneficially include a vitamin and mineral profile, including a complete vitamin and mineral profile. The term “complete” in the present context means a vitamin and mineral profile comprising all vitamins and minerals essential for body function, wherein the essential vitamins includes at least 9 vitamins from the exemplary group below, such as 10, 11, 12 or 13, or more, and the essential minerals includes at least 5 minerals from the exemplary group below, such as from 6 to 13 or more. Examples of vitamins include without limitation vitamins A, B-complex (such as B1, B2, B6 and B12), C, D, E and K, niacin and acid vitamins such as pantothenic acid and folic acid and biotin. Examples of minerals include without limitation calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, iodine, copper, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, chromium, molybdenum, selenium, nickel, tin, silicon, vanadium and boron.

The nutritional composition may also include without limitation a carotenoid such as lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene. The total amount of carotenoid included may vary from about 0.001 μg/ml to about 10 μg/ml. Lutein may be included in an amount of from about 0.001 μg/ml to about 10 μg/ml, sometimes from about 0.044 μg/ml to about 5 g/ml of lutein. Lycopene may be included in an amount from about 0.001 μg/ml to about 10 μg/ml, in some embodiments about 0.0185 mg/ml to about 5 g/ml of lycopene. Beta-carotene may comprise from about 0.001 μg/ml to about 10 mg/ml, for example about 0.034 μg/ml to about 5 μg/ml of beta-carotene.

The nutritional composition may also contain various other conventional ingredients such as, without limitation, preservatives, emulsifying agents, thickening agents, buffers, fibres and probiotics, especially probiotics which can help to reduce symptoms in IBS patients (e.g. VSL#3, B. infantis 35624, B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, B. lactis Bi-07, L. rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus Lc705, L. plantarum DSM 9843, L. plantarum CECT7484, L. plantarum CECT7485, L. acidophilus NCFM, L. fermentum CECT5716, B. breve Bb99, Propionibacterium freundenreichii ssp. Shermanii JS, P. acidilactici CECET7483, Streptococcus faecium), antioxidant/anti-inflammatory compounds including tocopherols, caroteinoids, ascorbate/vitamin C, ascorbyl palmitate, polyphenols, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase (melon), other bioactive factors (e.g. growth hormones, cytokines, TFG-β), colorants, flavours, and stabilisers, lubricants, and so forth.

The nutritional composition may be in the form of a soluble powder, a liquid concentrate, or a ready-to-use formulation. Various flavours, fibres and other additives can also be present.

The nutritional compositions may be prepared by any commonly used manufacturing techniques for preparing nutritional compositions in solid or liquid form. For example, the composition can be prepared from various feed solutions. A protein-in-fat feed solution may be prepared by heating and mixing the lipid source and then adding an emulsifier (e.g. lecithin), fat soluble vitamins, and at least a portion of the protein source while heating and stirring. A carbohydrate feed solution is also prepared by adding minerals, trace and ultra trace minerals, thickening or suspending agents to water while heating and stirring. The resulting solution is held for 10 minutes with continued heat and agitation before adding carbohydrates (e.g., the HMOs and digestible carbohydrate sources). The resulting feed solutions are then blended together while heating and agitating and the pH adjusted to 6.6-7.0, after which the composition is subjected to high-temperature short-time processing during which the composition is heat treated, emulsified and homogenized, and then allowed to cool. Water soluble vitamins and ascorbic acid are added, the pH is adjusted to the desired range if necessary, flavours are added, and water is added to achieve the desired total solid level.

For a liquid product, the resulting solution can then be aseptically packaged to form an aseptically packaged nutritional composition. In this form, the nutritional composition can be in ready-to-feed or concentrated liquid form. Alternatively, the composition can be spray dried and processed and packaged as a reconstitutable powder.

When the nutritional product is a ready-to-feed nutritional liquid, the total concentration of HMOs in the liquid, by weight of the liquid, may be from about 0.02% to about 2.0%, including from about 0.1% to about 1.5%, including from about 0.3% to about 1.0%. When the nutritional product is a concentrated nutritional liquid, the total concentration of HMOs in the liquid, by weight of the liquid, may be from about 0.04% to about 4.0%, including from about 0.2% to about 3.0%, including from about 0.6% to about 2.0%.

Unit Dosage Forms

The synthetic composition may also be in a unit dosage form such as a capsule, tablet or sachet. For example, the composition may be in a tablet form comprising the human milk mono- and/or oligosaccharides, and one or more additional components to aid formulation and administration, such as diluents, excipients, antioxidants, lubricants, colorants, binders, disintegrants, and the like.

Suitable diluents, excipients, lubricants, colorants, binders, and disintegrants include without limitation polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, ethyl cellulose, acrylate polymers and their copolymers, hydroxyethyl-cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose (HPMC), sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene oxide (PEO), or polyacrylamide (PA), carrageenan, sodium alginate, polycarbophil, polyacrylic acid, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, pectin, natural gums, xanthan gum, guar gum, karaya gum, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and colloidal silicon dioxide. Suitable antioxidants are vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, flavonoids, polyphenols, lycopene, lutein, lignan, coenzyme Q10 (“CoQIO”) and glutathione.

The unit dosage forms, especially those in sachet form, may also include various nutrients including macronutrients.

The unit dosage forms may be administered orally, e.g. as a tablet, capsule, or pellet containing a predetermined amount, or as a powder or granules containing a predetermined concentration or a gel, paste, solution, suspension, emulsion, syrup, bolus, electuary, or slurry, in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, containing a predetermined concentration. Orally administered compositions may include without limitation binders, lubricants, inert diluents, flavouring agents, and humectants. Orally administered compositions such as tablets can optionally be coated and may be formulated so as to provide sustained, delayed or controlled release of the mixture therein.

The unit dosage forms may also be administered by rectal suppository, aerosol tube, naso-gastric tube or direct infusion into the GI tract or stomach.

The unit dosage forms may also include therapeutic agents such as antiviral agents, antibiotics, probiotics, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory agents. The synthetic composition in unit dosage form may be a pharmaceutical composition or a nutritional supplement.

Administration Dosing

For reducing symptoms of visceral pain in a patient, the amount of HMS(s) and/or HMO(s), preferably HMO(s), required to be administered to the patient may vary depending upon factors such as the risk and severity of the disease, the age of the patient, the form of the composition, and other medications being administered to the patient. However, the required amount may be readily set by a medical practitioner and could generally be in the range from about 200 mg to about 20 g per day, in certain embodiments from about 1 g to about 15 g per day, from about 3 g to about 10 g per day, in certain embodiments from about 3 g to about 7.5 g per day. An appropriate dose may be determined based on several factors, including, for example, body weight and/or condition, the severity of the condition, being treated or prevented, other ailments and/or diseases, the incidence and/or severity of side effects and the manner of administration. Appropriate dose ranges may be determined by methods known to those skilled in the art. During an initial treatment phase, the dosing may be higher or lower depending upon the need to boost bifidobacteria abundance or initial tolerance to HMSs/HMOs. During a maintenance phase, the dosing may be set for chronic long term use.

The duration of the HMS/HMO administration may vary depending upon factors such as the risk and severity of the medical condition, age, the form of the composition, the dose and other medications being administered. However, the duration can be readily set by a medical practitioner. Generally, a duration of at least a week will be required to sufficiently to impact symptoms. For example, the duration may be for 1 to 3 months. The administration may continue chronically for an indefinite period.

EXAMPLES

Examples are to illustrate non-limiting embodiments the invention.

Example 1—Human Trial

A total of 60 male and female IBS patients are recruited to participate in the study. After a screening visit and run-in period of 1-2 weeks, the patients are selected. The patients are randomized into three groups, each of 20 patients, with two groups consuming the treatment product and one group the placebo product for 8 weeks. The treatment product contain either 5 or 10 grams of a combination of 2′-FL and LNnT in a 4:1 ratio, while the placebo product contain 2 grams of glucose. Both products are in powder form in a unit dosage container.

The patients are eligible to participate if they are at least 18 years of age and meet the Rome III criteria for IBS. All recruited patients are able and willing to understand and comply with the study procedures. Patients are excluded if: they have participated in a clinical study one month prior to screening visit; they have abnormal results in the screening tests which were clinically relevant for study participation; they are suffering for a severe disease such as malignancy, diabetes, severe coronary disease, kidney disease, neurological disease, or severe psychiatric disease or any condition which could confound the results of the study; used highly dosed probiotic supplements (yoghurt allowed) for 3 months prior to the study; consumed antibiotic drugs 3 months prior to the study; consumed on a regular basis any medication that might interfere with symptom evaluation 2 weeks prior to the study; and are pregnant or lactating.

At the screening visit, medical history and concomitant medication are registered and a blood sample for safety analyses is collected. A faecal sample kit is distributed. Patients are instructed to keep their samples in the freezer until the next visit.

At the second visit, eligibility criteria are checked and eligible subjects are randomised to the three arms in the trial. The faecal samples are collected and equipment for new samples are distributed. Patients are familiarised with an interactive internet enabled system which records data daily and are provided with either treatment or control products. Subjects are reminded not to change their usual diet during the study. Blood samples are collected for biomarker studies.

The serum from the blood samples is transferred to cryotubes and stored at −80° C. The following biomarkers are measured Aldosteron, Angiotensin II, ApoA1, ApoB, Blood urea nitrogen, Iron, BNP (Brain natriuretic peptide), Cortisol, ECP (Eosinophilic cationic protein), Estradiol, FFA (Aliphatic carboxylate), Glucagon, HbA1c, IgA, IgM, IgG, IL-10, IL-6, Insulin, Lysozyme, Progesteron, Testosterone, TNF-α, Transferrin, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, Vitamin K1, A-1-antitrypsin, Histamine, Tryptase and Prostaglandin E2.

The faecal samples are stored at −80° C. until analysis. Faecal samples are subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing analysis.

The study runs for 8 weeks with the patients consuming either a placebo or a treatment product daily. Patients are instructed to consume the products in the morning with breakfast. Compliance is monitored through the interactive internet enabled system. The patients also use the system to record:

-   -   Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSF) information,     -   symptom information such as abdominal pain (as measured by the         Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11), abdominal discomfort, abdominal         cramping, abdominal bloating, and abdominal fullness,     -   additional Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS)         information.

This questionnaire includes 15 items covering five dimensions (abdominal pain, indigestion, reflux, diarrhoea, constipation) and uses a seven-graded Likert scale. At the end of the study, each patient has an exit visit with the medical team. Faecal samples and blood samples are collected and analysed as before.

The results show that oral ingestion of HMOs modulate the intestinal microbiota, and specifically stimulate the abundance of bifidobacteria. The blood biomarker analysis indicates that the treatment patients have reduced levels of inflammatory markers, and reduced release of mast cell mediators meaning stabilization of mast cells. Reduction in visceral pain and an improvement in bowel movement are reported by treatment patients as compared to the placebo group. Collectively, HMOs are able to increase bifidobacteria and stabilize mast cells, and hereby contribute to improvement in visceral pain in IBS patients.

Example 2—Nutritional Composition

A ready to feed nutritional composition is prepared from water, maltodextrin, corn syrup, sugar, milk protein concentrate, vegetable oil (canola, high oleic sunflower and corn), soy protein isolate, acacia gum, flavours, HMSs/HMOs, potassium citrate, magnesium phosphate, cellulose gel and gum, calcium carbonate, sodium ascorbate, soy lecithin, choline bitartrate, calcium phosphate, alpha-tocopheryl acetate, ascorbic acid, carrageenan gum, ferric pyrophosphate, flavours, sweeteners (Stevia), vitamin A palmitate, niacinamide, vitamin D3, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulphate, copper sulphate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine hydrochloride, beta carotene, riboflavin, chromium chloride, folic acid, biotin, potassium iodide, phytonadione, sodium selenite, sodium molybdate, vitamin B12.

The composition provides a nutritional supplement which is a good source of protein, low in fat, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and meets FODMAP criteria. Further, the composition contains HMSs and/or HMOs which are able to promote the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria and modulate chronic inflammation.

Example 3—Capsule Composition

A capsule is prepared by filling about 1 g of HMS/HMO into a 000 gelatine capsule using a filing machine. The capsules are then closed. The HMS/HMO are in free flowing, powder form.

Example 4—Mucosal Barrier Function

2′-FL and LNnT are tested with respect to their ability to induce MUC2, TFF3, EIMβ, CHST5, and GAL3ST2 expression in the human LS174T cell culture model of goblet cells. The human LS174T cell line is obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). LS174T cells are maintained in minimum essential medium (MEM) supplemented according to instructions at 37° C. in 5% C0₂. 2′-FL and LNnT are dissolved in cell culture grade water to the required concentration. The LS174T cells are treated with the HMO solution containing 0 or 5 mg HMO/ml.

The LS174T cells are collected and suspended in Trizol reagent and total RNA is isolated using an RNA analysis kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer's instructions and the RNA isolates are quantified using Nanodrop analysis (Thermo Fisher Scientific). RNA isolates are reverse transcribed using a high capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit (Applied Biosystems) to create cDNA, which is then used to assess gene expression via quantitative RT-PCR.

For the quantitative RT-PCR, specific TaqMAN gene expression assays are obtained from Applied Biosystems, which include expression assays for MUC2, TFF3, CHST5 and GAL3ST2. Quantitative real-time PCR is performed using TaqMAN PCR Master Mix (Applied Biosystems). Reactions are run in duplicates in a 384-well plate using an Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System. The results are analysed using SDS 2.3 software and calculated by delta Ct method. All samples are normalized to Gus-β expression and fold induction is calculated over untreated controls. Gene expression is expressed as fold increase compared to HMO-free control cells. The experiment is repeated three times.

The results indicate that treatment with 2′-FL and LNnT increases the expression of the MUC2 and TFF3 genes compared to control cultures. Increased expression of goblet cell genes is specific and not universal, as evidenced by the minimal induction or lack of induction of CHST5 and GAL3 ST2, respectively. MUC2 and TFF3 are key components of the mucosal barrier and improve mucosal barrier function.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for reducing mast cell mediated visceral hypersensitivity and/or pain in a non-infant human, the method comprising: selecting a mixture of the human milk oligosaccharides (“HMOs”) 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and one or more of lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) and lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), in an amount effective for increasing a relative abundance of Bifidobacterium adolescentis in the gastrointestinal microbiota of the non-infant human; and increasing the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium adolescentis in the gastrointestinal microbiota of the non-infant human and reducing the mast cell mediated visceral hypersensitivity and/or pain by administering to the non-infant human a daily dose of the selected effective amount of the HMOs in the mixture.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-infant human has intestinal bacterial overgrowth, dysbiosis and/or an impaired mucosal barrier.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-infant human is an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patient.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising improving the gut barrier function of the non-infant human by administering to the non-infant human the selected effective amount of the mixture.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering with the selected effective amount of the HMOs in the mixture, one or more additional HMOs selected from the group consisting of 3 fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (DFL), 3′ sialyllactose (3′-SL), 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL), and lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP-I).
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mass ratio of the 2′-FL to the one or more of LNT and/or LNnT in the mixture is from about 5:1 to 1:1.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mass ratio of the 2′-FL to the one or more of LNT and/or LNnT in the mixture is from about 4:1 to 2:1.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-infant human is administered the daily dose of the mixture of from about 3 g to about 10 g.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-infant human is administered a daily dose of the mixture of from about 5 g to 10 g for an initial treatment period of 1 to 8 weeks, followed by from about 1 g to 5 g for a maintenance period of at least 1 month.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the mass ratio of the 2′-FL to the one or more of LNT and LNnT in the mixture is about 4:1.
 11. A method for modulating the gastrointestinal microbiota and reducing the likelihood of a non-infant human experiencing mast cell mediated visceral pain, the method comprising: selecting an amount of a mixture of the human milk oligosaccharides (“HMOs”) 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) that is effective for increasing the relative abundance of Bifidobacteria adolescentis in the gastrointestinal microbiota of the non-infant human; and increasing the relative abundance of Bifidobacteria adolescentis in the gastrointestinal microbiota of the non-infant human and reducing the likelihood of the non-infant human experiencing mast cell mediated visceral pain, by administering a daily dose of the selected effective amount of the HMOs in the mixture to the non-infant human.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising administering with the selected effective amount of the mixture, one or more additional HMOs selected from the group consisting of 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), difucosyllactose (DFL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL), 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL), and lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFP I).
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising improving the gut barrier function of the non-infant human patient by administering to the non-infant human the selected effective amount of the mixture.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising reducing the looseness and/or frequency of bowel movements of the non-infant human by administering to the non-infant human the selected effective amount of the mixture.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-infant human is administered a daily dose of the mixture of from about 5 g to 10 g for an initial treatment period of 1 to 8 weeks, followed by from about 1 g to 5 g for a maintenance period of at least 1 month. 